Becoming the person you want to be takes a lot -- a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of reflection. Some people don't ever become who they really want to be in their lifetime. But that's to say that they didn't try. Who you are can be a hard thing to define, and when life makes you question who you really are countless times, it's challenging to find the identity you crave. In my short 20 years of life, I have seen this firsthand. College is the prime time to "find yourself," but sometimes (a lot of the time) that task is much harder than you think it will be.

When I was growing up, I had this plan -- this plan in which I'd go to the best college, have the job of my dreams and be married to the love of my life with my first baby by age 24. My, how my life has taken a turn. I am at a college that I never thought of attending... and I absolutely love it. Four years ago, I would have never imagined my life like this, so I can't imagine what the next four years will be like. And if they have me married to the love of my life with my first baby, then so be it. If they have me in grad school or at a new job, then so be it.

Life never goes according to plan. And lately, I have really tried to learn to accept it. I am someone who likes control, and the thought of having to "let go" terrifies me. But like I said, four years ago, I couldn't imagine I'd be where I am... and I keep proving that I usually tend to figure out what is best for me in the end. So when I feel like life is going to hell, I try to think about that and work on letting go a bit.

Letting go gives you time for yourself. If you aren't thinking about making sure everything goes perfectly, you can live in the moment a little bit more. And the more you live in the moment, the more you find yourself. You find your likes and dislikes, your favorite places, your favorite foods. You find the little things that come together to make up who you are. It's crazy what you see and realize about your life when you take a step back, take a deep breath and focus on yourself.

It's always about the little things. We are made up of our favorite books, movies, songs, quotes -- everything. And finding that exact person we want to be can be hard and it can change as life goes on. It's important that we stick by those we love and the things that make us happy in order to make ourselves the best people we can be.

But if there is one thing I've learned, it's that it is never too late to decide who you want to be. And if you don't like that person, change. This life is yours and yours only, so why not be the person you want? Sometimes you have to step outside yourself and realize what it is you want and who you want to be.

So when life doesn't go to plan, take advantage for it. Use the time to create yourself and become a better you. Take advantage of the confusion and figure out what works and what doesn't. Figure out what you like and what you don't like. Figure out who you want and who you don't want and where you want to be.

Always be the best version of you -- no matter who that is.